Grounded by the Storm: How Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Disrupted Saudi Aviation
In early January 2025, Saudi Arabia experienced a series of intense weather events that significantly disrupted aviation operations across the country. Cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, Taif, Asir, Al Baha, and Jizan were hit with heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds, causing delays and operational challenges at several major airports. At King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, departing flights were delayed by an average of 45 minutes, while Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport saw shorter average delays of around five minutes (Gulf News, 2025). The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) issued red alerts warning of hazardous weather conditions including reduced visibility, turbulent winds, and the risk of flash flooding (National Center for Meteorology [NCM], 2025). These disruptions offered a real-world example of how weather and aviation intersect and why understanding that relationship is crucial for safety and efficiency in flight operations. I chose ...